[Clark, June 4, 1804]
June 4th 1804 Monday, - a fair Day Sent out 3 hunters, our
mast broke by the boat running under a tree Passed an
Islands on Stbd Side on which grow Seeder a Creek at ____
miles on the Starbd Sd. Course N. 30° W 4 ms. to pt. on St.
Side below 2d Isd. passed a Creek on Lbd Side 15 yd. wide, I
call Nightingale Creek. this Bird Sang all last night and is
the first of the kind I ever herd, below this Creek and the
last Passed a Small Isd on the Stbd. N. 25 W. 3 ms. to a pt.
on St. Sd. passed a Sm. Isd. on St. Sd. and Seeder Creek on
the Same Side 20 yds wide passed a Creek on Lbd Sd. 20 yd
wide, I call Mast Creek, this is a Short Creek, fine land
above & below the mouth. Jentle rise of about 50 foot,
Delightfull Timber of Oake ash walnut hickory &c. &c. wind
from N W. by W. N. 58° W. 71/2 ms. passed a Creek Called
Zoncar on the Lbd Side, N 75 W 3 me. to a pt, S. Sd. called
Batue a De charm, a plain on the hill opposit. I got out &
walked on the L Sd. thro a Charming Bottom of rich Land
about one mile then I assended a hill of about 170 foot on
the top of which is a Moun and about 100 acres of Land of
Dead timber on this hill one of the party says he has found
Lead ore a verry extensive Cave under this hill next the
river, the Land on the top is fine, This is a very bad part
of the river Seven Deer Killed to day by our hunters- one of
the horses is Snaged, the other lost his Shous to day the
Bottom on the St. Side to day is covered with rushes, not
verry good ____ the high land Comes to the bank on the Labd
Side and good 2d rate land.
[Clark, June 4, 1804]
June 4th Monday 1804 - a fair day three men out on the right
flank passed a large Island on the St. Side Called Seeder
Island, this Isd. has a great Deel of Ceedar on it, passed a
Small Creek at 1 ms. 15 yd. Wide which we named Nightingale
Creek from a Bird of that discription which Sang for us all
last night, and is the first of the Kind I ever heard.
passed the mouth of Seeder Creek at 7 ms. on the S. S. abt.
20 yds. Wide above Some Small Isds. passed a Creek on the L.
S. abt. 15 yds. wide. Mast Creek, here the Sergt. at the
helm run under a bending Tree & broke the mast, Some
delightful) Land, with a jentle assent about the Creek, well
timbered, Oake, Ash, walnut &c. &c. passed, wind N W. by W.
passed a Small Creek Called Zan Can C on the L. S; at this
last point I got out and walked on the L. Sd. thro a rush
bottom for 1 Miles & a Short Distance thro Nettles as high
as my brest assended a hill of about 170 foot to a place
where the french report that Lead ore has been found, I saw
no mineral of that description, Capt Lewis Camped imediately
under this hill, to wate which gave me Some time to examine
the hill, on the top is a moun of about 6 foot high and
about 100 Acres of land which the large timber is Dead in
Decending about 50 foot a projecting lime Stone rock under
which is a Cave at one place in this projecting rocks I went
on one which Spured up and hung over the Water from the top
of this rock I had a prospect of the river for 20 or 30 ms.
up, from the Cave which incumposed the hill I decended by a
Steep decent to the foot, a verry bad part of the river
opposit this hill, the river Continu to fall Slowly, our
hunters killed 7 Deer to day The land our hunters passed
thro to day on the S. S. was Verry fine the latter part of
to day. the high land on the S. S. is about 2d rate
[Clark, June 5, 1804]
June 5th Tuesday, - Jurked the Vennison Killed yesterday,
after Seting over the Scouting Party or hunder of 3 men Set
out at 6 oClock Course N 57° W to a pt. on S. Sd. 5 ms.
passed a Creek on L. Sd. I call Lead C of 15 yds passed one
on the S. Called Lit. good-womans Creek about 20 yds. wide
Passed a Willow Isd. a Butifull Prarie approaching near the
river above Lead C & extends to the Mine river in a westerly
Derection, passed the Mouth of the Creek of the Big Rock 15
yds Wide at 4 ms. on the Lbd Sd. at 11 oClock brought a
Caissie in which was 2 men, from 80 League up the Kansias
River, where they wintered and caught a great qty of Beever
but unfortunatey lost it by the burning of the plains, the
Kansas Nation hunted on the Missourie last Winter and are
now persueing the Buffalow in the Plains, passed a
Projecting Rock called the Manitou a Painting from this
Deavel to the Pt. on the Lbd Side N 23° W 71/2 Ms. The Same
course 21/2 ms. Creek Cld. Manitou passed a on the Lbd. Side
about 40 yd. wide, a Sand bar in the middle of the River
passed up between the Sand & L. Shore one Mile to a Small
Creek 10 yd. wide, (I call Sand C). We run on the Sand and
was obliged to return to the Starbd Side, I am verry unwell
with a Slight feever from a bad cold caught three days ago
at the Grand so R- passed a Small Willow Isd. on S. Side, a
large one in the Middle of the river, York Swam to the Isd.
to pick greens, and Swam back with his greens, the Boat Drew
too much water to cross the quick Sands which intervened,
She draws 4 foot water, a fair wind our mast being broke by
accidence provented our takeing the advantage of it passed
the lower point of a large Island, opposit the Current
devides between 4 Small Isds on the St Side. we found the
water excessively hard for 12 Miles as we were oblged to
pass up the center of the Current between two of the Isds. &
round the heads of the other 2 the Current Setting
imediately against the points which was choked up with Drift
for a mile- Above those Isd. on the St. Side we camped
altogether our Hunter or Spis discovered the sign of a war
party of abt. 10 Men
[Clark, June 5, 1804]
June 5th Tuesday 1804 - after Jurking the meet Killed
yesterday and Crossing the hunting party we Set out at 6
oClock, from the last Course & distance, N 51° W. 5 ms. to a
pt. on the St. Sd. passed a Small Creek on the Ld. S. I call
Lead C. passed a Creek on the S. S. of 20 yds. wide Cald.
Lit. Good Womans C. on the L. S. a Prarie extends from Lead
C. parrelel with the river to Mine river, at 4 ms. Passed
the Creek of the big rock about 15 yds. wide on the L. Sd.
at 11 oClock brought too a Small Caissee in which was two
french men, from 80 Leagues up the Kansias R. where they
wintered, and Cought a great quantity of Beaver, the greater
part of which they lost by fire from the Praries, those men
inform that the Kansas Nation are now out in the plains
hunting Buffalow, they hunted last winter on this river
Passed a projecting rock on which was painted a figue and a
Creek at 2 ms. above Called Little Manitou Creek from the
Painted rock this Creek 20 yds. wide on the L. Sd. passed a
Small Creek on L. S. opposit a Verry bad Sand bar of Several
ms. in extent, which we named Sand C here my Servent York
Swam to the Sand bar to geather greens for our Dinner and
returnd with a Sufficent quantity wild Creases or Teng
grass, we passed up for 2 ms on the L. S. of this Sand and
was obliged to return, the Watr. uncertain the quick Sand
Moveing we had a fine wind, but could not make use of it,
our Mast being broke, we passed between 2 Small Islands in
the Middle of the Current, & round the head of three a rapid
Current for one mile and Camped on the S. S. opsd. a large
Island in the middle of the river; one Perogue did not get
up for two hours, our Scout discovd. the fresh sign of about
10 Inds. I expect that those Indians are on their way to war
against the Osages nation probably they are the Saukees
[Clark, June 6, 1804]
Wednesday the 6th of June 1804. - Mended our mast this
morning and Set out at 7 oClock, under a Jentle Braise from
the S, E by S N 28° W 31/2 miles to a hill on St Sd. passg
the N. beige of the Island Called Split rock Island, the
river rose last night a foot the Countrey about this Isd. is
delightfull large rush bottom of rushes below on the St.
Side N 49° W, 11/2 Ms. to the mouth of Split rock River ____
yds. wide on the Starboard Side opod. the pt. of a Isd.
passed a place in the projecting rock Called the hole thro
the rock, a round Cave pass thro the Pt. of rock's West 11/2
ms. to a pt. on Std. Sd. opposit a Clift of rocks abt 200
foot N 31° W. 4 ms 1/2 to a pt. on L. Side passed Saline
Creek on the L. Side a large Salt Lick & Spring 9 me. up the
Creek, one bushel of water will make 7 lb. of good Salt
(Information) Took Meridian altitude of sun Limb. 37° 6' 0"
equat to ____ of Lattidude.
on this Creek, So great a no of Salt Springs are on it that
the water is brackish N 51° W to a Belge of an Isd on the S.
Sd. at 3 ms. Passed a Willow Isd. in Middle, Some wind in
the after part of to day from the S E, (the Banks are
falling in greatly in this part of the river) as also is one
Side or the other in all the Course, we assended on the
North Side of the Isd. and finding that the perogues Could
not Keep up Camped 2 hs. by Sun. on the Sd Sd the land below
this is good.
[Clark, June 6, 1804]
June 6th Wednesday 1804 - Mended our Mast this morning &,
Set out at 7 oClock under a jentle breise from S. E. by S
passed the large Island, and a Creek Called Split rock Creek
at 5 ms. on the S. S. psd. a place to the rock from which 20
yds we. this Creek takes its name, a projecting rock with a
hole thro a point of the rock, at 8 ms. passed the mouth of
a Creek Called Saline or Salt R on the L. Sd. this River is
about 30 yds. wide, and has So many Licks & Salt Springs on
its banks that the Water of the Creek is Brackish, one Verry
large Lick is 9 ms. up on the left Side the water of the
Spring in this Lick is Strong as one bushel of the water is
said to make 7 lb. of good Salt passed a large Isd. &
Several Small ones, the water excessivly Strong, So much So
that we Camped Sooner than the usial time to waite for the
pirogue, The banks are falling in Verry much to day river
rose last night a foot.
Capt. Lewis took meridean altd. of Suns U. L. with the
octant above Split Rock C. &made the altitude 37° 6' 00
error of octt. as useal 2° 0' 0" + The Countrey for Several
miles below is good, on the top of the high land back is
also tolerable land Some buffalow Sign to day
I am Still verry unwell with a Sore throat & head ake
[Clark, June 7, 1804]
Thursday 7th of June 1804 - Set out early passed the head of
the Isd from the Isd. N. 61° W. to the mouth of a Creek
Called big monitu on St. Sd. 41/2 ms. psd. a Sand bar in the
river, Som Buffalow Sign Sent out George Drewyer & Newmon to
hunt Capt Lewis and 6 men went to a Lick up this Creek on
the right Side over 2 mes. & 2 other not far above the water
runs out of the bank & not verry Strong. 3 to 500 G for a
bushell.
S 88° W. 2 Miles to a pt. on Lbd. Side, high bluff on the
Stbd. Side, Monitou Creek is 30 yds. Wide at the mouth,
passed a painted part of a Projecting rock we found ther a
Den of rattle Snakes, Killed 3 proceeded on passed, S 81°W 4
ms. to apt. on S. Side passed an Island in the Middle of the
river, S. 87° W. to a pt. of high Land on the L. S. pass'g
over the Middle of a willow Island, ms. 31/2 proceed on 1/2
a mile on this Course a Camped at the mouth of Good womans
river on the S. S. about 35 yds wide, & navagable Som D. our
hunters brought in 3 bear this evening-& infd. that the
Countrey between this R. & the Monitou R is rich and well
watered, Capt. Lewis went out an hour this evening
[Clark, June 7, 1804]
June 7th Thursday 1804 - Set out early passed the head of
the Island opposit which we Camped last night, and brackfast
at the Mouth of a large Creek on the S. S. Of 30 yds wide
Called big Monetou, from the pt. of the Isd. or Course of
last night to the mouth of this Creek is N 61° W 41/2 ms. a
Short distance above the mouth of this Creek, is Several
Courious Paintings and Carveing in the projecting rock of
Limestone inlade with white red & blue flint, of a verry
good quallity, the Indians have taken of this flint great
quantities. We landed at this Inscription and found it a Den
of rattle Snakes, we had not landed 3 minutes before three
verry large Snakes wer observed on the Crevises of the rocks
& Killed- at the mouth of the last mentioned Creek Capt.
Lewis took four or five men & went to Some Licks or Springs
of Salt water from two to four miles up the Creek on Rt.
Side the water of those Springs are not Strong, Say from 4
to 600 Gs. of water for a Bushel of Salt passed Some Small
willow Islands and Camped at the Mouth of a Small river
called Good Womans River this river is about 35 yards wide
and Said to be navagable for Perogues Several Leagues Capt.
Lewis with 2 men went up the Creek a Short distance. our
Hunters brought in three Bear this evening, and informs that
the Countrey thro which they passed from the last Creek is
fine rich land, & well watered.
[Clark, June 8, 1804]
June 8th Friday - Set out at Daylight proceeded on the
Course of last night S 87° W 3 ms passed a Willow Island,
from the Point of last Course S 81° W. 3 ms. to a pt. on S.
S. passd a ____ Isd. in the middle of the river, passd a run
on the Ld S. above a pt. of rocks 3 ms. on which thir is a
number of Deer Licks, N 88° W. 3 Ms. to a pt L S. N. 83° W 2
ms. to the Mo of Mine River, psd an Isd.- This river is 90
yards wide & navagable for Perogues about 90 Ms. I went out
on the L S. about 4 ms. below this R. and found the Countrey
for one mile back good Land and well watered the hills not
high with a gentle assent from the river, well timbered with
oake, walnit Hickory ash, &c. the land Still further back
becoms thin and open, with Black & rasp Berries, and Still
further back the Plains Commence, The french inform that
Lead ore is found on this river in Several places, it heads
up between the Osagees & Kansas River the right hand folk
passes in a Short distance of the Missourie at the antient
Little Ozages Villages our hunter Killed, 2 Deer, after
Staying one hour at the mouth of this River, Cap Lewis went
out & proceeded on one Mile & came in, he fount the land in
the point high and fine Course N. 64° W 1 Ms. to a pt. on S.
S. N. 80° W to the Lower pot a Id. on L. S. passed a Small
Isd. in the m. R. at (3 Ms.) met 3 men on a Caussee from R
Dis Soux, above The Mahar Nation loaded with fur. Camped on
the Lower point of an Id. L. S. called the Mills, here I
found Kegs an Pummey stone, and a place that fur or Skins
had been burred by the hunters our Hunters Killed 5 Deer,
Some rain, the Countrey on the S. S. is Verry fine
[Clark, June 8, 1804]
8th of June, Friday 1804 - Set out this morning at Daylight
proceeden on the Course of last night Passed two willow
Islands & a Small Creek above a Rock point on the L. S. at 6
miles on which there is a number of Deer Licks, passed the
Mine River at 9 ms. this river is about 70 yards wide at its
mouth and is Said to be navagable for Perogues 80 or 90 ms.
the main branch passes near the place where the Little osage
Village formerly Stood on the Missouries, & heads between
the Osarge & Kansias Rivers, the left hand fork head with
nearer Branches of the Osage River, The french inform that
Lead Ore has been found in defferent parts of this river, I
took Sjt. Floyd and went out 4 Ms. below this river, I found
the land Verry good for a Mile or 11/2 Ms. back and
Sufficiently watered with Small Streams which lost
themselves in the Missouries bottom, the Land rose
gradeuelly from the river to the Summit of the high Countrey
which is not more that 120 foot above High Water mark, we
joined the Boat & Dined in the point above the mouth of this
River, Capt. Lewis went out above the river & proceeded on
one mile, finding the Countrey rich, the wedes & Vines So
thick & high he came to the Boat- proceeded on passed an
Island and Camped at the lower point of an Island on the L.
S. Called the Island of mills about 4 ms. above Mine River
at this place I found Kanteens, Axs, Pumey Stone & peltrey
hid & buried (I suppose by some hunters) none of them
(except the pumey Stone) was teched by one of our party, our
hunters Killed 5 Deer to day, Commenced raining Soon after
we Came too which prevented the party Cooking their
provisions-our Spies inform that the Countrey they passed
thro on S. S. is a fine high bottom, no water.
This day we met 3 men on a Cajaux from the River of the Soux
above the Mahar nation those men had been hunting 12 mo. &
made about 900$ in pelts. & furs they were out of Provesions
and out of Powder. rained this night
[Clark, June 9, 1804]
9th of June Satterday - Set out early, water verry Swift got
fast on a log, detained us 1/4 hour Hard rain last night. N
39° W 31/2 Ms. to a pt. on the S. S. opposit the
Commencement of the 1st Prarie, Called Prarie of the
Arrows,1 the river at this place about 300 yds. Wide passed
a Small Creek, Arrow Creek 8 yds. wide L. Sd. the Current
exceedingly Strong
N 34° E 2 ms. to the Belg of a Small Island Situated on the
L. Sd. Passed the mo. of Arrow Creek N 83°W 11/2 ms. to a pt
on L. S. opposit Black bird C Small passed the head of the
Isd. & a small Willow one to the L. S. (Os merdn. altd. back
obsvn. 37 00' 00) N. 39° W 2 Ms. to a pt. of High Land on
the L. Side opst. a pt. on St. S. River about 350 yds. wide
at this pt. a Wind from the S at 4 oClock (Handson Sutn) on
the High pt. a prarie & Small Lake below N 32° E 31/2 Ms. to
a pt. on L. S. passed an Isld. in the mid R- in passing up
on the S. S. opsd. the Isd. the Sturn of the boat Struck a
log which was not proceiveable the Curt. Struck her bow and
turn the boat against Some drift & Snags which below with
great force; This was a disagreeable and Dangerous
Situation, particularly as immense large trees were Drifting
down and we lay imediately in their Course,- Some of our men
being prepared for all Situations leaped into the water Swam
ashore with a roap, and fixed themselves in Such Situations,
that the boat was off in a fiew minits, I can Say with
Confidence that our party is not inferior to any that was
ever on the waters of the Missoppie we Crossed to the Island
and Camped, our hunters lay on the S. S. the wind from the
S. W. the river continue to rise Slowly Current excessive
rapid- The Countrey on the S. S. high bottom & Delghtfull
land that on the L. S. is up land or hills of from 50 to 100
foot higher than the bottom & a thinly wooded, Countrey,
Lands tolerably Good; Comminced raining at 5 oClock and
continued by intervales the greater part of the night. We
discovered that one of our French hands had a Conpt. - We
Commsd Doctering, I hope the Success in this case, usial to
[Clark, June 9, 1804]
9th of June 1804 Satturday - a fair morning, the River rise
a little we got fast on a Snag Soon after we Set out which
detained us a Short time passed the upper Point of the
Island Several Small Chanels running out of the River below
a Bluff & Prarie (Called the Prariee of Arrows) where the
river is confined within the width of 300 yds. Passed a
Creek of 8 yds. wide Called Creek of Arrows, this Creek is
Short and heads in the Praries on the L. S. passed a Small
Creek Called Blackbird Creek S. S. and One Islands below & a
Prarie above on the L. S. a Small Lake above the Prarie-
opposit the Lower point of the 2d. Island on the S. S. we
had like to have Stove our boat, in going round a Snag her
Stern Struck a log under Water & She Swung round on the
Snag, with her broad Side to the Current expd. to the
Drifting timber, by the active exertions of our party we got
her off in a fiew Mints. without engerey and Crossed to the
Island where we Campd. our hunters lay on the S. S. the
Perogue Crossed without Seeing them & the banks too
uncertain to Send her over-Some wind from the S accompanied
with rain this evening- The Lands on the S. S. is a high
rich bottom the L. S. appears oven and of a good quallity
runing gradually to from fifty to 100 foot.
[Clark, June 10, 1804]
June 10th Sunday 1804 - Some rain last night we set out
early Saw a number of Goslings this morning, Continued on
the Course of last night, thence N. 8 E. 21/2 ms. to a pt.
on the L. S. passed a part of the River that the banks are
falling in takeing with them large trees of Cotton woods
which is the Common groth in the Bottoms Subject to the flud
North 1 Me along the L. Side N. 40° W. 1 ms. along the L, S.
opposit the two Charletons, on the N. Side, those rivers
mouth together, the 1st 40 yds. wide the next 90 yds. Wide
and navagable Some distance in the Countrey, the land below
is high & not verry good. Came to and took Mdnl. altd. of
Sons U. L. back obsvn. with the octant Made it 37° 12' 00",
delayed 11/2 Hour. N. 70° W 1/2 of a me. along the L. Sd.- S
60° W 1/2 m. on L. S. the Same Course to the Pt. S. S. 11/2
Ms. We halted and Capt Lewis Killed a Buck the Current is
excessively Swift about this place N. 80° W. 3 ms to a pt.
on S. S. passed a Isd. Called Sheeco Islan wind from the N W
Camped in a Prarie on the L. S., Capt Lewis & my Self Walked
out 3 ms. found the Country roleing open & rich, with plenty
of water, great qts of Deer I discovered a Plumb which grows
on bushes the hight of Hasle, those plumbs are in great
numbers, the bushes beare Verry full, about double the Sise
of the wild plumb Called the Osage Plumb & am told they are
finely flavoured.
[Clark, June 10, 1804]
10th of June 1804 - A hard rain last night, we Set out this
morning verry early passed Some bad placies in the river Saw
a number of Goslings morning pass near a Bank which was
falling in at the time we passed, passed the two River of
Charletons which mouth together, above Some high land which
has a great quantity of Stone Calculated for whetstons the
first of those rivers is about 30 yds. Wide & the other is
70 yds wd. and heads Close to the R.
Dumoin The Aieways Nation have a Village on the head of
these River they run through an even Countrey and is
navagable for Perogues Cap Lewis took Medn. altd. of sun U.
L with Octant, back obsvn. made it 37° 12' 00"- delayd 11/2
hours.
Capt. Lewis Killed a large Buck, passed a large Isd. called
Shecco and Camped in a Prarie on the L. S. I walked out
three miles, found the prarie composed of good Land and
plenty of water roleing & interspursed with points of
timberd land, Those Praries are not like those, or a number
of those E. of the Mississippi Void of every thing except
grass, they abound with Hasel Grapes & a wild plumb of a
Superior quallity, called the Osages Plumb Grows on a bush
the hight of a Hasel and hang in great quantities on the
bushes I Saw great numbers of Deer in the Praries, the
evening is Cloudy, our party in high Spirits.
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806